Sant Kabir Nagar (UP), May 26 (PTI): At least 20 passengers were feared killed on Monday as the Gorakhdham Express rammed into a stationary freight train in the district.

PM-designate Narendra Modi offered condolence to families of those killed in Gorakhdham Express tragedy. Modi spoke to Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth and asked him to take an overview of the situation to ensure timely assistance to the injured.

“My condolences to families of those who lost their lives in the Gorakhdham Express tragedy. Prayers with the injured,” Modi tweets.

The incident occurred Monday morning when the express train came on the same track as the freight train near Chureb Railway Station, the District Magistrate of Sant Kabir Nagar, Bharat Lal, said.

Lal said around 20 people are feared killed in the accident, in which the first bogey of the train was smashed.

However, Alok Singh, chief public relations officer of North Eastern Railway, said passenger train’s engine had derailed. The train originates in Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, headquarters of NER.

Railway Board officials also cited derailment. They said six coaches of the train then rammed into a stationary goods train standing on the adjoining track at the station.

Out of the six coaches, four were general coaches and two were AC coach-- AC first class and AC two-tier.

Indian Railways has ordered an inquiry by the Commissioner of Railway Safety (Northeast circle), P.K. Bajpayee.

The Railways has also ordered a compensation of Rs 100,000 to the family of those killed and Rs 50,000 for those seriously injured.